Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - July 4, 2025

HOT

The U.S. Bill of Rights

Happy Birthday, America.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

HOT

Hall of Famer

The College Baseball Hall of Fame has named Mike Stenhouse as an inductee for the 2025 class.

He was a baseball star at Harvard and played in MLB. 

Congrats to Stenhouse.

HOT

Points for Creativity

It's official - the Elm Street Pier in Newport in the Point neighborhood is now open for swimming. 

City Councilman Xay Khamsyvoravong made the announcement this week - with a splash. 

"I want you all to be the first to know," announced Newport's former "Mayor Xay." 

"The new Elm Street Pier is open and ready for sunset watching, cool-off swims, and touch-and-go docking!" he said. The pier is ADA compliant and available for all to enjoy.

"When storms destroyed the old pier, we all worked hard together to start rebuilding," said Xay. "Big thanks to the City of Newport and our Harbor Master Steve Land, along with his great team, our Waterfront Commission, Newport City Council, and all of you who supported this work."

Xay added that people should "stay tuned" to the City of Newport for news on an official announcement.

HOT

Secretary Bennett

Top Rhode Island business leader Jim Bennett has been named Secretary of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

In April, Bennett was appointed President of the agency — the number two position.

Last month, the embattled Liz Tanner “resigned” as Secretary on June 3.

Tanner leaves the agency after three years as Secretary, leaving a legacy of senior staff turnover and few results.

Bennett, who has led several private sector firms, served as the head of economic development for the City of Providence. and chaired the Rhode Island Convention Center, is being tapped by Governor Dan McKee in an effort to stabilize the agency.

In February, GoLocal unveiled that many of the top executives at Commerce had resigned at an alarming rate.

In just the past 24 months, multiple top-tier executives have resigned, and in some top positions, the job has been turned over numerous times.

The turnover correlates with the last two years of McKee’s governorship. And, much of the exodus has occurred since Liz Tanner took over as Secretary of Commerce beginning in June of 2022.

HOT

Former Brown Star Kino Lilly, Jr. Signs to Play With Spurs

Former Brown University men's basketball player Kino Lilly Jr. '25 has signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Lilly Jr. will play in the 2025 Summer League in Las Vegas, NV.

The Spurs will begin Summer League play on July 12 against the Philadelphia 76ers. They will play four total games and will face off against four top-five picks in the 2025 NBA Draft in Cooper Flagg (Mavericks), VJ Edgecombe (76ers), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), and Ace Bailey (Jazz). Lilly Jr. will take on former teammate Jaylan Gainey '22, who signed a deal with the Utah Jazz. See the Spurs' full schedule below.

Lilly Jr. concluded his Brown career first in program history in three-pointers made (328), second in program history in points (1,878), and in field goals made (648). He is the only player in program history, and the third player in Ivy League history, to make over 300 three-pointers.

Following the 2024-25 season, he became the fourth player in program history to earn First Team All-Ivy honors in three consecutive seasons, joining a list of Mike Cingiser (1960-62), Earl Hunt (2001-03), and Jason Forte (2003-05).

Lilly's 16.6 points per game average and 82.7 free throw percentage rank fifth in program history. As a senior, native averaged 17.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, a career-high 4.4 assists and 0.8 steals per game.

He finished his junior season with the second-most three-pointers in a single season (90) and finished his senior season with the third-most three-pointers in a single season (88). 

He was also named NABC Second Team All-Mid Atlantic District following the 2024-25 season and was named to the Lou Henson Award Watch List in November.

NOT

A Top Providence Restaurant Has Announced It Is Closing

Providence’s Vino Veritas has announced it is closing.  It has been one of the city's prized restaurants for years. 

It was founded by attorney Robert Caron nearly a decade ago.

He made the announcement that the restaurant was closing with a simple message, calling it a "good run."

Two Careers

He started his career in restaurants.

At the age of 17, Caron became the chef of El Torito, a West Coast restaurant chain. He waited tables at the Blue Grotto and Capriccio. Then, he attended Roger Williams Law School and made a reputation as a criminal defense attorney.

Nine-plus years ago, Caron opened Vino Veritas. It was a different type of top-tier dining. The small, intimate setting had a significant New Orleans influence mixed with Mediterranean dining.

The restaurant located on Broadway was a boost to the neighborhood and a wonderful plus to the city’s dining options. Sadly, the news comes just as the Uptown Theater (formerly the Columbus) is poised to reopen after a major rehab.

NOT

South Kingstown Employee Alleges She Was Subject to Sexism, Pornography & Sent Sex Videos

In a lawsuit filed against the Town of South Kingstown this week, a former municipal employee made disturbing claims of sexism, being exposed to pornography, and an incident in which a fellow employee sent her a video of him having sex.

The federal complaint filed in United States District Court by plaintiff Emily Spring states she was hired by South Kingstown in 2020 as a Wastewater Operator — and that she was licensed for that position which she obtained through an independent training program

According to the lawsuit, Spring "was the only woman in the position of a wastewater operator among four other wastewater operators. She was also the only woman among the four subsequent wastewater operator hires while she held the position. Indeed, she was the first woman ever hired for this position since the Plant opened on or about 1970.”

Spring alleges that she was subjected to sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.

She says among other claims in the lawsuit that the department did not provide "adequate facilities for women," and that in February 2021, she "discovered a huge stack of pornographic magazines in a bathroom at the facility."

Employee Sent Her Sex Videos

Spring alleges in the lawsuit that more issues arose when South Kingstown hired additional employees in 2021.

"On or around June of 2021, [South Kingstown] hired two new Wastewater Operator I trainees, neither of whom had operator licenses," according to the lawsuit. 

“[New] hire, Seth Vallee (“Mr. Vallee”), asked Ms. Spring for her Snapchat username," states the lawsuit, which continued: 

"Ms. Spring found this odd, but because all the wastewater operators communicate with each other using text messages on personal cellphones, she gave it to him, assuming that was the text application he preferred to use. About two weeks after Mr. Vallee was hired and Ms. Spring began training him, he started talking to her about his personal life and asking her personal questions."

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NOT

INVESTIGATION: Providence Recreation Dept. Director Resigns - Multiple Rec Center Directors Out

The City of Providence's Recreation Director is leaving after the Fourth of July holiday, GoLocal has learned. 

"Stephen Grace began serving as the Director of Recreation on January 23, 2023. His current salary is $136,579," City Spokesperson Josh Estrella told GoLocal this week. 

Estrella confirmed that Grace resigned, and that his last day is July 11.

It marks the fourth departure of a top recreation department in Providence in six months. 

Moreover, the city confirmed with GoLocal this week that multiple former recreation center directors were under investigation by the city before leaving. 

There are a dozen rec centers across the city, with varying degrees of amenities from gyms and community rooms - to pools and splash pads.

They provide year-round programming for Providence youth and community members throughout the year. 

Rec Center Directors Investigated - and Leave

Since January, Elmer Stanley with Joslin Rec Center, Joshua Odugbela with Kennedy Rec Center, and Herlin Perry with Vincent Brown Rec Center have all left, the city confirmed with GoLocal. 

"The City did conduct an internal investigation related to Joshua Odugbela and Herlin Perry but the City does not comment on personnel matters," said Estrella. 

According to Estrella, Odugbela's last day with the city was May 7, 2025; Perry's was April 23, 2025, and Stanley's was January 1, 2025. 

The city did not release any additional information regarding the departures of the four recreation department employees in six months. 

NOT

RI Man Throws U.S. and Cape Verdean Flags on the Ground

East Providence police arrested 27-year-old Joey Marsden of Manville on Wednesday on numerous charges following an incident at East Providence City Hall.

At approximately 12:00 PM, while a ceremony was taking place inside City Hall, Marsden approached City Hall on a moped. Marsden then walked up to three flags that were positioned at the City Hall entrance and proceeded to throw both the American flag and the Cape Verdean flag to the ground.

Video shows Marsden stomping on the Cape Verdean flag. 

East Providence Officers apprehend the suspect on his moped a short distance away from City Hall.

During the arrest, Marsden was found to be in possession of a 6-inch knife as well as a large Nazi flag.

Marsden is currently being charged with:

- Vandalism
- Disorderly Conduct
- Weapons other than Firearms Prohibited (knife)

The East Providence Police Department's Prosecution Division is currently working with the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office to determine if additional hate crime enhancements will be pursued in this case. Marsden will be arraigned at Sixth District Court on Thursday morning.

“The City of East Providence takes great pride in being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community for all,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “There is no room in this city for acts of hatred and vandalism. Our administration condemns all hateful acts and will continue to make it abundantly clear that East Providence is an inclusive community where hate is neither welcome nor tolerated.” 

Acting Police Chief Michael Rapoza said, “Our agency takes these acts of vandalism seriously and will pursue hate crime enhancements when warranted. I’d like to thank the ceremony attendees for alerting the police and our officers who responded quickly and apprehended the suspect. There is no place for this type of behavior in our city.”

NOT

EXCLUSIVE: North Providence Employee Allegedly Poisoned Another Worker’s Gatorade Drink

GoLocal has learned from multiple sources that last week, an employee of the North Providence Public Works Department poured out another worker’s Gatorade drink - and replaced the drink with automobile window wash fluid.

Automobile window wash fluid is typically made with methanol, which can be toxic and potentially lethal.

Multiple workers reportedly looked on while the fluid was replaced in the bottle.

Later that day, when the worker returned to the office and unknowingly drank the window wash fluid, he reportedly became ill and was hospitalized twice due to the poisoning.

North Providence Investigating

According to multiple sources with first-hand knowledge, North Providence Police have begun an investigation.

The employee who allegedly put the automobile window wash fluid in the bottle was Alessio Dandrea — who was previously charged for a series of crimes by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2023.

When Bernie Salvatore, the acting director of the North Providence Pubic Works Department, was made aware of the incident last week, he placed Dandrea on "indefinite unpaid leave."

Salvatore told GoLocal that Dandrea had been working for the city for about one year and that he was a member of the union.

When asked if he was aware of Dandrea's federal criminal issues, Salvatore said, "I don't have any information about that."

GoLocal reached out to North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi, who confirmed the incident and referred calls to Human Resources Director Josh Hernandez.

Hernandez did not respond to GoLocal's call.

North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero was not reachable at the time of publication.

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